Catching Up with Ben Malcolmson: Journalist Turned Inspiring USC Football Walk-On

Sports Journalism in its truest form sparked inspiration

A lot of little boys have dreams of one day becoming a football player. There is something magical about playing under the stadium lights, cheerleaders belting your name, and getting that clean, crisp jersey dirty.

For those lads out there who can relate to this, think back to your days of PeeWee football. Your mom was terrified to let you on the field and your dad was bursting with pride, secretly reminiscing about his own glory days.

Unfortunately, as the years progress, so does the competition. Those dreams of playing on a college football team become more distant, and reality sinks in for a lot of people.

This was the case for former Dallas resident Ben Malcomson.

Malcomson was always a quick little chap, but he lacked what most football coaches seek. In his own words, he was “too little and really skinny.” So he did what most kids in his situation would do: focus on sports where his size would benefit him. Fifth grade football was as far as he got, and to his knowledge that was the end of his football career.

Now, perhaps you are wondering why the name “Ben Malcomson” sounds familiar.

Think back a few years to a story involving the USC football team. You may have seen this daydream of a story in Sports Illustrated, The Dallas Morning News or on Fox Sports. Malcomson was a Print Journalism major at the University of Southern California (USC). His passion for sports journalism landed him a coveted roll as a football reporter for USC’s newspaper, The Daily Trojan. He had spent many games on the sidelines covering the team’s victories and losses. It was his senior year and he was searching for a unique story idea that would spark interest among USC football fans.

“I saw an ad in the school newspaper that was talking about walk-on tryouts for the football team,” Malcomson said. “And I figured that would be a cool story to write about. So I decided to go to the tryouts myself and experience it and I had no intention of actually trying out to make the team.”

The first day of tryouts came and went. Approximately 40 hopefuls showed up and only five were invited to the next round of tryouts. Among those five were Malcomson.

Yes, you read correctly: a kid whose football experience only included a blip in little league football as a wide receiver.

Those five were whittled down to two over the course of the next month. Once again, Malcomson was not cut and became an official member of the USC Trojans’ football team.

“I had covered the team through the newspaper for years and I was a familiar face around those parts,” Malcomson said. “And so the coaches definitely knew who I was. They called me ‘the newspaper guy’ during the tryout. I went through the tryout and went home to write the story and a few days later I got a very surprising phone call from a friend and they told me that I had made the team.”

Needless to say, Malcomson was a bit shocked. Actually, he was flabbergasted. Initially, he could not even convince his father of his news until his dad read it in the Los Angeles Times. It was not just his dad who couldn’t believe it; Ben thought this miracle was simply a prank.

“I thought maybe Coach Carroll was playing a joke on me and then I did a little investigation and it was for real,” Malcomson said. “I went to talk to Coach and all the decision-makers. Coach said I was quick and had good hands.”

Malcomson came out with one heck of a story; talk about up close and personal. Instead of standing on the sidelines with a piece of paper and pencil, he was suited up in the USC football garb. Just imagine how he felt the first time he slipped that helmet over his head. He must have thought “this is for that little fifth grade wide receiver.” But his splendor wasn’t just for his inner-child. It was for every guy and gal who wished they could suit up as a college football player.

It was the last game of the year and we were playing Notre Dame and we were up twenty points,” Malcomson said. “It was the last play of the game and Coach called me in. And so I got to play that one play and it was my last chance.”

As Malcomson’s story reached people scattered across the nation, inspiration sparked. I can attest to this as I grew up in Kansas. A guy from my high school heard this story and decided he was going to try out for the Kansas State football team when he went to college. And there are many more who share that same thought process:

“If Ben Malcomson can do it, so can I.”

I have to admit I was inspired myself. Not that I am planning on trying out for the USC football team any time soon, but it’s encouraging knowing we all have a chance to chase something we love.

Malcomson is a prime example of your everyday hero. He is bursting with all the values that make up a modest character and dedicated team member, and combines them with talent, drive, and perseverance. I have met the guy and you simply will not meet a kinder, more genuine person. (And ladies, he’s not bad on the eyes either!)

But in all seriousness, a person lacking true zest for life could not have achieved what this sports journalist achieved when he walked onto that field.

So we have established that Malcomson gained national attention for his “unintentional” walk-on to the USC football team, and that the tales of his legend will bellow their way through the Trojans’ stadium for years to come. I’m sure there will be countless sports journalists eager to replicate his succes.

But…we all know that your fifteen minutes of fame can easily run out. It’s what you do in those fifteen short minutes that matter for a lifetime. Malcomson has combined his two passions, sports and journalism, into his life and career.

“I manage the content of the USC football Web site, which means I write all the stories and take all the pictures,” Malcomson said. “I also manage Pete Carroll’s web presence. I wouldn’t have had the chance to work for the football team if it wasn’t for my experience.”

Malcomson’s current job helps him stay connected to the Trojans’ football team, currently serving as the Director of Online Media. He works six days a week and travels with the team to all the games. He is constantly blogging away and working on Web sites. He recognizes the importance and emerging trends in the social media realm.

“Social media is becoming the number one news source and it’s really altering the way information is carried,” Malcomson said.

Yogi Roth, analyst for Fox College Sports and former USC football coach, was instrumental in the development of the USC football blog and Pete Carroll’s Web site. When looking for the Director of Online Media, Malcomson came to mind.

Roth recalls that Malcomson was always the first one there and stayed late, taking the team very seriously. Carroll’s notion is to “win forever,” which includes maximizing everything that you do. This same principle was taken to maximize the football team’s presence on the web and social media outlets.

“We wanted to see if we could do news first and really break our own news,” Roth said.  “Ben is truly a mastermind and Webmaster and we’re lucky to still have him.”

So the moral of the story? Seize the heck out of that big idea and go after it. If Ben Malcomson lacked the courage to go tryout for the USC football team, where would he be today? You never know what opportunities will leap right into your lap if you step outside of your comfort zone and push the limit.

With dedication and an authentic purpose to pursue your passion, who knows what will happen? Perhaps the mystery is the most inspirational thing of all.

“Once you get an opportunity, just make the most of it and give the most of what you have to whatever opportunity,” Malcomson said. “You never expect something like this to happen. I’m definitely fortunate and blessed.”

* – all photos courtesy of Ben Malcolmson 

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Editor’s Note: While doing a little bit of background research of my own to see what other information was available online about this great story, I came across the following video tribute to Ben Malcolmson.

You may want to turn the sound down on your computer — especially if you’re not a fan of rock remixes of Destiny’s Child songs — but the tribute is great and provides further context for this wonderful story.

And if you’d like to read more about Ben Malcolmson, here are some relevant links and other stories that have been written about him:

• USC Ripsit Blog (managed by Ben)
• The Ben Malcolmson Story — (LA Times)
• USC’s Ben Malcolmson: The Story of a Football Walk-On — (Paul Peszko, Bleacher Report)

Tags: ben malcolmson, inspiring stories, journalist, Pete Carroll, USC Trojans

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